What a lucky guy Mr Lee is, spending his birthday on Isla Mujeres (Island of Women)! But what windy women they were! A protein-rich diet, perhaps?

As our ferry approached after sunset all we saw were street lights, restaurant lights and... headlights? Mario exclaimed in disgust: "What's with all the damn cars?!!" Chillaxer-than-thou-Isla-Holbox has ruined us for other small islands, I suspect.

Mixed reviews from fellow travellers made us reluctant to visit Isla Mujeres, but we decided to check it out nonetheless. Cancun Lite is what we expected and Cancun Lite is what we found.

Everyone of those travellers had stayed at and recommended Poc Na hostel. They warned that it's a party hostel and that we shouldn't expect to get much sleep

. But the party moved to the funky beach bar at 11pm and the age range was 18 to 80! Their processes were well-established, the activities ranging from Spanish lessons to nightly live music, breakfast included. Many boxes were ticked but yet something was missing. Personal touch? Is that asking too much from a 100 bed dorm? Perhaps.

This year's birthday celebrations were relatively tame, mostly due to our 2-week alcohol abstinence whilst in Isla Holbox. But it was social as we got to spend it with a friend whom we first met in Merida. It was interesting catching up with Sheri after her adventures in Peru. She kindly treated us to a Thai pre-birthday meal and cooked us a lovely lunch of huevos rancheros.

In an attempt to give the island fair chance, we hired a golf cart, despite the wind chill factor. It took the whole of 30 minutes to circumnavigate the island, plus an extra 15 minutes to venture down the little peninsula.

That's where we found the Turtle Farm. Initially unimpressed, we'd been there and done that within 15 minutes. The turtles were cute enough. The shark was a log in the water until an adult turtle chased after it

. And the mini-aquarium was... well, mini. The coolest creatures were the sea horses! They just hung out and some of them are super-tiny! With one foot out the door we realised they'd let us hold stuff! Under supervision I got to hold two baby turtles (including an albino!) and two sea urchins who wiggled and tickled my hand. I was surprised by how exciting this was for me and Mario obliged by taking pics with each little creature.

A couple of noteworthy gems on the island was the delicious English Sunday roast cooked by the Australian chef who's been living at Poc Na for seven years and being led astray by Sheri into the great little gelato parlour that serves After Eight and Ferrer Rocher!

Go figure that on our morning of departure the sun was shining brightly and the wind had disappeared. Onto our final Mexican town!

Comments

Faith
on Feb 27, 2012 at 09:54PM

I started reading your blog about a month ago and was enchanted by your perspectives! What a fun couple you are! I am from the Midwest here in the States, (Missouri) After the past few weeks of silence... I was so happy to see you blogging again! Isla Holobox must have been verrrry relaxing for you. Can't wait to keep following your adventure. P.S. I especially laughed at your encounter with the "hillbillies" in the U.S. Thank goodness you did not come to the Ozarks here in Missouri. There is a great mix of culture,, but we do have a few back woods types. - Keep up the great reading- Best regards to you both!-Faith (perhaps our paths will meet in Mayan country soon)

Hi Faith, thanks for your kind words and for reading. It's always great to be "found" online ;) We'd love to meet up so let us know when you're in the neighbourhood. We head back into Guatemala today. More blog updates coming soon to a pc screen near you!